Analyst Reveals A Big Concern About Commanders In 2025

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 17, 2025, 10:20 AM

analyst reveals a big concern about commanders in 2025

Expectations are heightened for the Washington Commanders after a 12-win season and the franchise’s first trip to the NFC Championship game in three decades. The team has had a strong offseason to make sure last year wasn’t a fluke by trading for Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil, though one analyst still has a big concern about the team... Analyst Joe Fortenbaugh contributed to a recent ESPN article with his colleagues, where they went through each team’s total win outlook for 2025, and he is concerned that the team’s 2024 point differential and... “I am, however, highly concerned about the abundance of red flags signaling an upcoming regression for Washington. For starters, the Commanders finished 12-5 last year despite a +94 point differential, which is more indicative of a 10.6-win team. Second, Washington went 8-4 in one-score games.

Those are two metrics which demonstrate how Dan Quinn’s team performed above expectation in 2024,” Fortenbaugh said. The points Fortenbaugh mentioned are valid, but that regression could be counteracted by natural progression and the potential improvement on offense that Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil could contribute to. Nobody expected the Washington Commanders to reach the final four last season, but it happened. Fans and analysts could scarcely believe what was unfolding in front of their eyes as this perennial underachiever defied the odds to announce itself back in the big time. Sustaining or perhaps even exceeding this exceptional start is the next challenge. Fans are confident that the necessary roster improvements have been made this offseason.

But one NFL analyst believes the most glaring potential flaw could be their undoing unless some offseason gambles pay off. It's no secret that the Commanders were desperately short of productive edge rushers. Adam Peters ignored this need, for the most part, signing journeyman Jacob Martin, run-stopper Deatrich Wise Jr., and Von Miller. That bolsters the experience in the group, but there is a distinct lack of vibrant explosiveness. Sayre Bedinger from NFL Spin Zone highlighted this concern after placing the Commanders at No. 10 in his weekly power rankings.

He acknowledged the offense's strengths, but head coach Dan Quinn might have his work cut out in his attempt to squeeze some life out of this current edge-rushing unit. This is a calculated risk. Peters is banking on experience to lead the way as the Commanders go all-in to maximize Jayden Daniels' rookie contract. They should be competitive, but that's not guaranteed by any stretch of the imagination. The Washington Commanders' days of 1 p.m. Eastern Time games every Sunday during the regular season are gone.

That was widely anticipated after their phenomenal efforts during the previous campaign, but it's going to take some serious adjustment from Dan Quinn's squad with almost no stable routine to depend upon. It's a daunting challenge facing the Commanders, especially considering the loftier expectations on their shoulders. However, it's a nice problem to have compared to how things have looked over the last two decades. The NFL schedule-makers were keen to take advantage of Washington's newfound prosperity. They have eight standalone games — five of which are on primetime. There's also a Saturday game against the Philadelphia Eagles, a Christmas Day clash versus the Dallas Cowboys, and an international trip to Madrid thrown in for good measure.

Washington's schedule structure was a topic discussed in greater detail by Conor Orr from Sports Illustrated. He thought the Commanders got screwed, and he's not alone. But the analyst acknowledged this is the price for success in the modern-day NFL. Quinn was probably expecting this. The Commanders are gaining positive headlines for the first time in decades. They are a hot commodity with on-field success and ambitious plans in place behind the scenes.

This is also a big market with a passionate fan base, so it wasn't hard to connect the dots. The Washington Commanders are a legitimate Super Bowl contender in 2024. Yes, you read that correctly. The Commanders are among the top NFC contenders ahead of the 2025 NFL season. However, one NFL analyst believes Washington's lack of moves at one specific position is a cause for concern. Ben Solak of ESPN recently began looking ahead to the 2025 season, which is 100 days away.

So, Solak wrote about 100 things to know about next season. He covered a few Commanders' topics, but this stood out: The Commanders' best pass rusher right now is Frankie Luvu, which is a little weird because he's an off-ball linebacker. The actual defensive ends are Dorance Armstrong, Jacob Martin, Clelin Ferrell and Deatrich Wise Jr. I ... don't love that for a presumed Super Bowl hopeful.

This is not new ground to cover. There have been questions about who will be Washington's top edge rusher next season. Dorance Armstrong is a popular name to watch, but you could make the case that Frankie Luvu is the Commanders' best pure pass rusher. Luvu finished second on the team with eight sacks last season. The Commanders allowed last season's sack leader, Dante Fowler Jr. (10.5 sacks), to leave in free agency.

Fowler will likely be hard pressed to repeat last season's performance and struggles against the run. Washington's lack of run defense proved to be its undoing last season. Last season, the Washington Commanders saw an eight-game win increase from their 2023 total, going from 4-13 to 12-5. However, could Dan Quinn and his team suffer a setback in 2025 and be a squad that misses the playoffs? On Friday's edition of "Pro Football Talk," NBC Sports NFL analyst Chris Simms sees Washington taking a step back this upcoming season and being one of the NFC teams that fails to get back... "I am expecting a little bit of a drop-off from the Commanders," Simms said.

"One, their schedule is hard. They're not going to catch everybody by surprise. People are just going to study in the offseason how to defend Jayden Daniels in this offense a little bit. The first-year energy of a new coach is gone." Daniels made the transition from college to the pros look seamless as the Commanders felt the impact of their young signal caller. While many expect the 24-year-old to take another step in his growth, he could be without his No.

1 target from last season, Terry McLaurin, to start the campaign. MORE: Terry McLaurin activated, but tension remains in Washington The latest news on the Washington Commanders. The Washington Commanders are 3-7 and on a 5-game losing streak. As they head to Madrid for a historic game, the team's leaders have a different goal in mind. Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.

explains the staff’s unity and focus after Dan Quinn takes over calling plays. The Washington Commanders' game in Spain is a reunion for the coaches. But for the Dolphins' Mike McDaniel, it's a chance to face the man who saved his career. The Commanders legend, speaking from Spain, explains why Dan Quinn had to demote his "right-hand man" to get the team's "real-time resilience" back. The Washington Commanders made the NFC Championship last season with a rookie quarterback, and nobody saw it coming. It was one of the most radical, fast-paced transformations we’ve seen in modern NFL history — and the numbers prove it.

Out: Dan Snyder, Ron Rivera, Eric Bieniemy, Sam Howell In: Josh Harris, Dan Quinn, Adam Peters, Kliff Kingsbury, Jayden Daniels Add in $178 million in free agent spending — fifth most in the league — and a soft projected schedule, and the signs were screaming improvement. One doesn't have to look far in the media for praise where new Washington Commanders wide receiver Jaylin Lane is concerned. Most analysts believe Adam Peters could have another steal on his hands with the explosive playmaker, who's got the tools needed to far exceed his fourth-round status with a smooth transition to the professional... One respected draft figure thought an overlooked part of Lane's game could be more impactful than anything else during his first year in Washington.

Field Yates of ESPN named Lane among his non-first-round prospects who could have a bigger-than-anticipated influence on his team as a rookie. The analyst thought his skills could force his way onto the offensive rotation quickly. However, he believes the former Virginia Tech standout's prowess in the return game could leave a monumental impression if given the chance. Judging by the reaction of special teams coordinator Larry Izzo when the Commanders took Lane at No. 128 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, he seconds this notion. Lane's elusiveness and dynamism with the football in his hands could be an asset.

Austin Ekeler earned second-team All-Pro honors last season as a kick returner. Looking at the concussion issues suffered by the veteran in 2024, giving the role to a younger, faster option might prolong the running back's shelf life along the way. The Washington Commanders entered the offseason with some question marks on defense. They addressed them to a degree, but it still feels somewhat insufficient. That’s why it’s not much of a surprise to hear that there are still big doubts about their secondary. In his latest column, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report pointed to that unit as the team’s biggest weakness:

“Biggest Weakness: Secondary,” Ballentine wrote. “There weren’t many secondaries that made less plays on the ball than the Commanders last season. They only had seven interceptions all season and their 60 passes defensed were tied for fifth-lowest in the league. They traded for Marshon Lattimore during the season. He ended up giving a passer rating of 105.4 in the two games he played. They’ll hope the veteran can contribute after a full offseason with the franchise.

Analyst Reveals A Big Concern About Commanders In 2025

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